Politics

‘I can’t afford to strike, but I can’t afford to carry on like it is’

NEU members explain how pay erosion and a lack of school funding is driving teachers to take second jobs

NEU members explain how pay erosion and a lack of school funding is driving teachers to take second jobs

The first major strike by state school teachers in England in years will begin next month.

National Education Union members who voted to strike told Schools Week how pay erosion and a lack of school funding is driving teachers to take second jobs.


Kris Jones
Kris Jones

Kris Jones is a computer science teacher and head of year 9 at St Peter’s School in Huntingdon. He earns £54,000, but debts and the impact of his partner’s maternity leave last year means his family struggles to get by.

He had a second job working for a removal company last summer to help cover his bills.

“I’m in this horrible mindset of being scared to spend money because I’m so worried that it’s going to be not enough at the end of the month.

“We’re not flashy. We don’t go out on weekends. It’s not quite hand to mouth, but it feels that way sometimes.”

Shakila Said
Shakila Said

‘Nobody goes into the institution for money’

Shakila Said, a computer science teacher at Tupton Hall School in Chesterfield, earns £23,000 working three days a week.

“Nobody goes into the institution for the money. I was considering increasing my days at school, but at the moment it’s not worth the childcare costs. It’s not worth that separation from my young child to do four days.”

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, pay for experienced teachers has fallen 13 per cent in real terms since 2010. But the government insists it won’t negotiate more than the 5 per cent offered this year.

Nardia Thornton
Nardia Thornton

Talks this week between Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, and union leaders once again yielded no results.

Nardia Thornton, a maths teacher and head of year based in Bristol, said teachers were leaving “in droves”.

“I can’t even Imagine someone entering the profession now being able to get a mortgage, which is insane for a qualified degree graduate.”

Keegan has repeatedly pointed to the average teacher salary of £39,000, but even those earning around that amount said they were struggling.

Vik Chechi-Ribeiro
Vik Chechi Ribeiro

‘I have to work two jobs’

Vik Chechi-Ribeiro, a science teacher at Manchester Enterprise Academy, earns about £40,000 a year “which at face value seems a lot”.

“However, take into account that me and my wife have to pay for a mortgage, almost £800 a month for childcare, and increasing amounts on food, shopping, and transport as well as energy.

“I’m on the upper pay scale, but I have to work two jobs. I do private tutoring, maybe eight to 10 hours a week, on top of being a full-time teacher and a new dad.”

Tracey Taylor, a teacher at Mulbarton Primary School in Norfolk, also earns about £40,000 a year and is “really noticing that it’s hard to make ends meet”.

Robert Poole
Robert Poole

She said she intended to strike because schools were expected to fund pay rises from their own “really stretched” budgets.

“If we don’t do something, now, if the government doesn’t do something now, education is just going to get worse and worse.”

Robert Poole, a geography teacher, said voting to strike was a “tough choice. But for me, it’s an investment. I can’t really afford to go on strike, but I can’t really afford for it to carry on like it is.”

Latest education roles from

Senior Quality Officer

Senior Quality Officer

University of Lancashire

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Minerva Learning Trust

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

Head of Programme 2D Studies – City Lit

FEA

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

Group Director of Governance & Company Secretary

New City College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Helping every learner use AI responsibly

AI didn’t wait to be invited into the classroom. It burst in mid-lesson. Across UK schools, pupils are already...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Retire Early, Live Fully: What Teachers Need to Consider First

Specialist Financial Adviser, William Adams, from Wesleyan Financial Services discusses what teachers should be considering when it comes to...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Politics

Kids’ school dinner protest leaves a bad taste

NEU stunt involving primary pupils handing out leaflets on free school meals draws criticism

Ruth Lucas
Politics

Reform-run Kent council plans £2m school budget raid

Leaders say proposals fly in face of pre-election pledges to identify efficiencies and savings from Musk-style DOGE unit

Jack Dyson
Politics

Labour conference 2025: Bridget Phillipson’s full speech

The education secretary addressed the party's annual conference in Liverpool

Freddie Whittaker
Politics

Labour-linked education group backs Lucy Powell for deputy leader

Backing for rival from Socialist Educational Association is a blow to education secretary Bridget Phillipson

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *